Interactive Workshop ‘Active listening to loneliness’

Eva VAN HOUDT and Marjan VERTOMMEN

In this interactive workshop we explore some possibilities and limitations of active listening to lonely callers together. That can include exploring different forms of loneliness and being aware of their existence. Practicing an open mind and perspective is crucial in this regard. Not rushing to understanding, but exploring this feeling of being alone/feeling lonely. Which emotions are related to loneliness: anxiety, anger, sadness, disconnectedness, emptiness … And which possibilities and skills/competences does the caller still have? The skills of paraphrasing and asking questions are ever so relevant with lonely callers. One of the challenges in having a conversation with someone who is feeling lonely, is ending the conversation. The caller can experience painful emotions when the volunteer ends the conversation, and might be reluctant to let go of this connection. Ending the conversation might leave a caller feeling even more lonely than before. The volunteer might feel powerless as well, being aware of the boundaries of TES. It can be a challenge to deal with that feeling. How can we be thoughtful to these painful experiences? When dealing with limits, what could we do that might help?